brake light pops up

[bowlofturtle]

My mom has been complaining to me about this. When i drove our 96 camry, i never had issues with it. when i gave it to her she drove it prefectly fine. Now about 3-4 months into it. She tells me the BRAKE light comes on and off but not constantly. I go drive it and cant duplicate it at all. She tells me it happens every now and then. I really dont understand why it does happen. I really have no clue where to even look. Car has no ABS, I did the front pads and rotors last year and flush/bleed the whole system. No issues with braking. The light comes on at any moment either driving or stoped or w/e.

I can't figure it out, Could it be a loose parking brake cable or loose grounds? anyone steering me in the right direction?

[Canuck88]

what are the rear brakes like? it could be a partially seized caliper.

when you have the rotors off put some brake quietner on it i always do, i'm telling you to do this because your brakes won't squeel as much and you'll already have the brakes off so it's a perfect time for this. (it'll obviously not solve your brake light problem)

hows the level in the brake reservoir?

[drunken_panda]

If you are low on brake fluid this can happen. As the pads wear, they require more fluid to push.

[Streetglower]

just cause you did the rotors and pads last year doesnt mean they are still good. Last year was awhile ago, so you may have pad wear. And also check the fluid level. Start off with the easiest stuff first.

[CerialPhreak]

I had the same problem with my 4th gen, turns out the rotors were warped so check for that.

[bowlofturtle]

the rear brakes were drums. And when i measured it. It was well within the specs. I'm aware that the brakes could be warn within a year. But what bothers me is that light turns on randomly. either driving or with the brake depressed. I assume that it isn't the fluid, i understand the more the pad wears the more the fluid needs to compress to make up for the wear. I just recently drove the car and i feel the braking on the car is below average. still driviable but not up to spec. So i'm just going to throw new pads/rotors on the front. Pull the drums off and inspect and clean off the rears. Topp off the fliud and go on from there.,

[Mike Gerber]

Originally Posted by bowlofturtle

the rear brakes were drums. And when i measured it. It was well within the specs. I'm aware that the brakes could be warn within a year. But what bothers me is that light turns on randomly. either driving or with the brake depressed. I assume that it isn't the fluid, i understand the more the pad wears the more the fluid needs to compress to make up for the wear. I just recently drove the car and i feel the braking on the car is below average. still driviable but not up to spec. So i'm just going to throw new pads/rotors on the front. Pull the drums off and inspect and clean off the rears. Topp off the fliud and go on from there.,

Do what some of the others have said and check the fluid level in the master cylinder first. It takes about 30 seconds and this could be your only problem. If it is low (near the min mark), then topping it off will stop the light from turning on and off, but you probably will be needing to replace the brakes soon.

Mike